How to Support Your Teen Through Wilderness Therapy

September 28, 2015 | 0 comments

As mentioned previously, although sending your child to treatment is hard, sometimes it is the best way to ensure that he or she receives adequate help for their anger issues and emotional outbursts. That does not mean you can not demonstrate to your child that he or she is loved and respected. Here are ways to support your child during his or her treatment for anger issues:

Select a Credible Treatment Program

Not all wilderness therapy programs are created equal. If wilderness therapy is a route your family has selected, make sure that you find a safe, reliable, credible program to help your child through his or her anger issues. Look for a treatment program that is overseen by a licensed professional, ensures access to medical care, and fosters family involvement.

Communicate with the Treatment Team

As a parent and caregiver, being involved with the treatment team is vital to your child’s success. While it is important to let the treatment team do their job, it is also important to be an effective advocate for your child. Speaking with the treatment professionals, understanding their recommendations, and discussing any concerns are almost as vital as sending your child to treatment in the first place. If appropriate, join your child’s therapy session to learn how you can support your child. After treatment, be sure to notify your child’s healthcare provider or mental health professional if his or her anxiety or depression symptoms do not improve or if they increase.

Learn about Your Teen’s Issues and/or Diagnosis

Find out more about whatever has been troubling your child and/or contributing to his or her defiance, emotional outbursts, and problematic anger. If your child has been diagnosed with depression or it turns out that your child is still struggling with your divorce, find out more about how to help. Doing this will help you to make informed decisions during and after treatment. Research, read, attend support groups and parenting classes. In this age of information, it shouldn’t be hard to learn more about your child’s struggles. Learning as much as you can from your child about what the struggle has been like for them can help them feel of your support.

Conclusion

If you are concerned about your son or daughter’s problematic anger, emotional outbursts, and acts of defiance, it is important to recognize when anger goes too far. Early intervention is key to giving your child the tools to successfully manage his or her emotions in a healthy way as an adult. Wilderness therapy is a treatment method that many families have turned to, due to the unique way in which it reaches adolescents.

Download the white paper below to learn more about how wilderness therapy could help your teen’s anger issues.